Opening of the 50th Ballet Days: Neumeier's Mermaid fascinates!

Opening of the 50th Ballet Days: Neumeier's Mermaid fascinates!

An exciting chapter in the world of dance has begun! The 50th Hamburg Ballet Days get underway and start with a performance of John Neumeier's masterpiece “The Little Mermaid”. This production, based on the wonderful fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, originally premiered on April 15, 2005 at the Royal Danish Ballet in Copenhagen to celebrate the author's 200th birthday. Now the audience in the large house of the Hamburg State Opera stands in front of a newly staged version that surprises and delights many. NDR reports that the company brought a complex choreography to the stage in just 18 days and that Lloyd Riggins, the company's deputy director, described the performance as a "theatre miracle".

The Hamburg Ballet Days not only usher in an exciting time, but also do so in an eye-catching setting. In particular, the missing premiere of Demis Volpi's “Demian” prompted some viewers to cancel their tickets. The result was numerous empty seats in the auditorium - a picture that seems atypical in such a festive context. One viewer summed it up well: Instead of just following existing traditions, they wanted a real new beginning. This conversation is further stimulated by the circumstances that led to Volpi's resignation; behind the scenes the situation is anything but easy.

A look at the production

“The Little Mermaid” offers a mixed world of underwater dream and the harsh reality of humans. The title role is played by the talented Xue Lin, while Louis Musin stars as the mysterious sea sorcerer. With his choreography, John Neumeier creates an emotional depth that touches the audience and at the same time addresses the psychological complexity of the characters. Neumeier himself not only edited the choreography, but was also responsible for the set design and costumes, which are based on various cultural traditions, including African and Balinese influences.

Lera Auerbach's music fits harmoniously into the narrative and reinforces the emotional moments of the piece. It reflects the bittersweet melodies of the mermaid who feels torn between love, sacrifice and a painful choice. The dancers must not only demonstrate their physical performance, but also deeply identify emotionally with their roles in order to portray the mermaid's transformation - a process that recalls the roots of Andersen's own biography.

A legacy and an outlook

John Neumeier's legacy in the world of ballet cannot be underestimated. After his engagement at the Frankfurt Ballet, he shaped the Hamburg company and enriched the global ballet with many multi-faceted works with more than 140 of his own creations. His eye for the psychological dimensions of characters and their development brings a new perspective to classic stories. Next Sunday, Neumeier will personally talk about 50 years of Ballet Days and reflect on the opportunities and challenges of the art form.

Despite the uncertainties and the critical voices, the anticipation for the remaining performances of the Ballet Days remains great. May time show how the ballet business in Hamburg will develop and what new stories will be told by the talented dancers and choreographers. A real new beginning, as many would like, could perhaps already be in the air. These ballet days could be the starting signal for many new creative journeys.